• The European Pet Passport (EU Pet Passport) allows for qualifying domestic animals (dogs, cats and ferrets) to freely cross borders in Europe.
• The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) provides for qualifying domestic pets to travel to and from the UK without undergoing quarantine.

Pet travel laws can be affected by exceptional outbreaks of diseases. Recent examples are Avian Influenza (the H5N1 strain of bird flu) and Foot and Mouth disease.

Moving Pets within the European Union

European Pet Passport

The EU Pet Passport is a booklet, identical for all European countries, which contains obligatory information concerning an individual animal: identification number, proof of valid vaccine against the rabies virus. It may contain other non-obligatory information. It is valid for the lifetime of the pet. Each passport is numbered for identification purposes.

Animals travelling within any European Union countries other than Ireland, Sweden, Malta and the United Kingdom need to have:

• identification by microchip or tattoo (tattoos are only acceptable until July 2011)
• valid vaccine against rabies (except when crossing the Finnish border, where animals must have proof of tapeworm – echinococcosis – treatment).

All vets should have the relevant information and be able to prepare a pet for travel.

The EU Pet Passport can also be used when travelling between Europe and the following non-mainland European areas: Canary Islands, Azores and Madeira.

It may also be used when travelling between EU and other countries with the same rabies status. Included are: Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City State.

• See the EUROPA website 

Getting an EU Pet Passport

The passport may only be issued by a licenced vet and it, and vaccinations, should be kept current by the vet.

Before issuing it, the vet will confirm that the animal:

• is identified by a micro chip in the neck or tattoo in the ear
• has valid vaccines against rabies.
• has had a blood test to confirm the vaccine is in the system

Following these steps the vet can issue a certificate of health - the Pet Passport.

Arriving in Spain

A non-commercial importer may bring up to five pets into Spain.

Pet owners must carry a valid EU Pet Passport for each pet when travelling with their animals to Spain.

If the rabies vaccination was the animal's first vaccine then it must wait for 21 days before entering the country. There is no time delay with booster injections, providing there is proof that the booster was administered before the last vaccine had expired.

An animal must be over three months old to enter Spanish territory.

Rabbits and rodents may travel without a passport but should be declared at the border.

Moving Pets between Spain and the UK and Ireland

Dogs, cats and ferrets may travel between UK and Ireland, and Europe without quarantine, provided some (stringent) requirements are met. The system allowing travel is called the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS).

DEFRA, the UK Department for Environment Food and Rural affairs, has comprehensive and up-to-date information on the website. It can also can provide an information pack on request.

• DEFRA website: Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)

Entering the UK or Ireland

Before entering Britain or Ireland (or Sweden or Malta) from Spain or elsewhere in the EU, an animal must:

• have a anti-rabies booster vaccination (the pet must be vaccinated by a vet)
• have a blood test. A blood sample will be taken 30 days after the vaccination and will be sent to an approved laboratory to confirm it has been effective
  • If the sample tests correct, the vet will sign the certificate
  • If the sample tests negative, the vaccination and sampling process will be repeated until successful and there will be a six-month delay (see note below)
• between 24 and 48 hours before departure from Spain the animal must be treated for ticks, and tapeworm (echinococcosis). This treatment must be carried out by an authorised vet
• have microchip identification, a tattoo is not acceptable
• have a valid European Pet Passport completed with certificates and documentation of treatments

Note: A passport cannot be issued until six months after a satisfactory blood test. Once the vet has issued the pet's documentation and that six-month period has passed, the pet may enter the UK. The travel process is then much the same as above. The passport must be up to date and the rabies booster must be valid.

If the authorities are unsatisfied with the animal on entry to the UK it can be held in quarantine until the relevant tests are passed.

Further information from:

• The Directgov website: Click here  
• Irish Department of Agriculture website
• British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, DEFRA website

Moving Pets to Spain from outside the European Union

If taking the pet to a country outside the EU consult the Embassy or consulate to check the local regulations.

An animal entering Spain or an EU Country from a non-EU country that has the same rabies controls need merely prove that the anti-rabies booster vaccinations are valid and up-to-date.

• See EUROPA website

Animals from countries not included on the list need to have complete anti-rabies treatment. The Spanish Embassy in the home country should be consulted.

Moving Pets to Spain from the United States or Canada

Animals from the USA and Canada may enter Spain if they have:

• a valid Veterinary Certificate (stating owners details, a description of the animal, details of identification and vaccinations)
• valid rabies vaccines
• a tattoo or a microchip (compatible with standards ISO-11784)

The cage or carrier must be labelled with the owners name, and their (or a nominated person's) address and contact numbers in Spain.

Once in Spain, a Spanish vet can issue an EU Pet Passport allowing travel within Europe.

• The website of the Spanish embassy in Washington DC provides comprehensive information: Click here 
• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency website has further information: Click here 

Pet Carriers To and From Spain

It is essential to ensure that the pet is eligible to travel not only to or from Spain but also any other countries it may pass through.

The animal will have to travel in an approved container. It must be big enough for the animal to stand sit and turn during the journey. The container must allow adequate ventilation.

If the journey is longer than a few hours, food and drink may need to be supplied.

Several train companies, sea ferries and airlines carry caged animals across borders (normally a pet travelling by air will be in the hold). Consult the carrier for details.

The website Dogsaway has up-to-date lists of routes and carriers.

• Dogsaway (UK): Click here  

Carriers Spain and the UK

Animals must be transported via approved routes. 

• DEFRA approved carriers and their contact details: Click here

• DEFRA has approved certain ports and airports: Click here

• The website has information and check-in procedures: Click here 

Travelling with Guide Dogs

Guide dogs for the blind entering Spain must adhere to the same requirements as other domestic pets above.

Once in Spain the service dog has free access to all public buildings and may travel unrestricted on all public transport. The dog should be registered and licensed with the Spanish National Organization of the Blind (Organización Nacional de Ciegos de España, ONCE).

• ONCE Website (in English) 
• AEPA, Associación Español de Perros de Assistencia, The Spanish association for assistance dogs: Click here

The UK based Guide Dogs for the Blind association has a set of guidelines for those travelling with assistance of guide dogs.

• Guide Dogs information on the Pet Travel Scheme: Click here

Further Information

• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Essential Animal Information
• European Union information on Moving Pets & Animals
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Pet Threats and Animal Dangers in Spain

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